Time

Electricity

Language

The official language is Mandarin Chinese, but there are hundreds of local dialects.

Travel Health

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from
travellers coming into China from infected areas. There is a risk
of malaria throughout the low-lying areas of the country, and it is
recommended that travellers to China seek medical advice about
malaria before departure. Vaccinations are recommended against
hepatitis A and hepatitis B, typhoid (not necessary if eating and
drinking in major restaurants and hotels), Japanese encephalitis
(usually only recommended for rural areas), and rabies (only
recommended for travellers at risk of animal bites). Tap water
shouldn't be drunk unless it has first been boiled, filtered or
chemically disinfected. Street food should be treated with
caution.

There is generally a high standard of health care in major
Chinese cities, but it is not provided free of charge; travellers
are advised to have comprehensive travel health insurance.

Tipping

Tipping is not officially recognised in China, though the
practice is has become increasingly common among tour guides,
top-end restaurants, tour bus drivers and hotel staff. Travellers
wanting to tip should leave a gratuity of about 10 percent. Large
hotels and restaurants often include a service charge in their
bills, usually of around 10 percent, so travellers should make sure
that they aren't doubling up.

Safety Information

China is generally safe, and there is currently little threat
from global terrorism. The risk of terror attacks is higher in the
Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and travellers should exercise
caution if travelling to this area. Serious crime against
foreigners is rare but does occur, particularly in isolated or
sparsely populated areas. There has been an increase in the number
of muggings and robberies at Beijing International Airport and
around the Jianguomenwai area of Beijing, as well as in Shenzen,
bordering Hong Kong. If travelling alone, including following parts
of the Great Wall, it is advisable to leave an itinerary and
expected time of return with a third party. Travellers should take
extra care in street markets and at tourist sites, which attract
thieves and pickpockets, and around the popular expat bar areas at
night, where lone foreigners have occasionally been attacked.
Travellers should be cautious about using pedicabs in Beijing, as
tourists have reportedly been mugged by the drivers; women in
particular have been targeted. Seasonal heavy rains and typhoons
cause hundreds of deaths in China each year, particularly those
areas bordering the Yangtze River in central, southern and western
China. Demonstrations have taken place in Lhasa, Tibet, as well as
in some Chinese provinces in protest against Chinese rule in Tibet.
Even though the situation seems to have stabilised, visitors are
advised to stay up to date on the situation before travelling to
the region and to avoid all protests. The Chinese government
sometimes suspends the issue of permits for travel to Tibet due to
unrest.

Local Customs

Chinese people usually have three names, the first of which is
their surname, or family name. As a result, visitors should be
prepared for hotels mistakenly reserving rooms under their first
names. For clarity, surnames may be underlined. When addressing
Chinese people, the surname should come first and official titles
should be used. Chinese handshakes last longer than those in
western countries, and it is customary to stand close together when
in conversation. Politeness in western terms is often foreign to
the Chinese, and they rarely bother with pleasantries. All
foreigners should carry their ID on them at all times, as spot
checks are common. Failure to show evidence of ID when requested by
an official may result in a fine or detention.

Business

The Chinese are strict timekeepers and being late for a meeting
is considered rude. When meeting people for the first time it is
normal to shake hands and say 'ni hao', which means 'how
are you'. Note that handshakes generally go on for longer in China
than in most western countries. Business cards are commonly
exchanged at the start of meetings in China; it is customary to
have one side printed in Chinese and one in English. When giving or
receiving business cards or a gift, it is customary to hold it with
both hands. Chinese consider gifts an important show of courtesy.
During a meal or reception, your host is likely to offer a toast;
foreigners may be expected to offer them one in return.

Women are generally treated with respect and courtesy when doing
business in China and it is increasingly common to find Chinese
women in senior positions, especially in the big cities.
Businesswomen should, however, avoid showing too much skin.
Business dress for both men and women tends to be conservative and
plain without much ornament or bright colour.

Business hours are 8am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. A five-day
week is more common in larger cities and international companies.
Workers usually take their lunch break between 12pm and 2pm and it
is not unusual to find offices empty during this time.

Communications

The international dialling code for China is +86. Phone cards
are widely available and calls can be made from post offices and
hotels; phone booths on the streets are usually for local calls
only. In hotels, local calls are generally free or will be charged
only a nominal fee. Mobile phone networks are very advanced and
Chinese networks have roaming agreements with most non-North
American international operators. Internet cafes are available in
most main towns.

Duty Free

Travellers to China do not need to pay customs duty on 400
cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco; 1.5 litres of alcohol;
perfume for personal use; and personal articles up to the value of
¥2000. Prohibited goods include arms, ammunition, or printed
material that conflicts with the public order or moral standards of
the country. Also prohibited are radio transmitters and receivers,
exposed but undeveloped film and fresh produce. Strict regulations
apply to the import and export of antiquities, banned publications,
and religious literature. All valuables must be declared on the
forms provided.

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